“She changed melody, promising herself that one day she’d go far away from Indiana and make her own special music. She wasn’t sure where she’d go, or what song she’d sing, but she knew she’d do it somehow and when she did her music would change the world.”

This quote from the Prologue characterizes Amanda Daine before she is murdered. She is dreamy, musical, and wants to make a difference in the world. The novel shares what makes her special right before she is killed, which informs Brian’s quest to find her killer and clear her father’s name.

“With that he turns and strides out of the gym, leaving me feeling totally faked out by the moves of a man I expect to breeze past.”

This quote describes Todd right after Brian talks to him about their history project. He uses basketball language such as “faked out” to describe their interaction as if Todd is an opponent on the court who has moves that he can’t anticipate.

“Office Recks nodded. ‘I understand. This must be very hard for you, Brian.’ Somehow, the words don’t sound very sympathetic.”

After Amanda and her family are murdered, Brian talks to Officer Recks about what he knows and saw that day, which is not very much. It is later revealed that Recks is Amanda’s killer, and his lack of sympathy when speaking to Brian foreshadows his role as the antagonist.